HX3 MIDI expander module

HX3 MIDI expander is a tonewheel organ in a small box! Controlled completely via MIDI, selectable CC-sets for NI B4, Hammond XK, Hamichord and other. 30 presets (to be stored locally), many "secret" HX3 parameters tweakable by menu with incremental encoder - like key contact flex and damping for key click response, or AO28 gain adjustments for more or less percussion punch etc. And, of course, it yields the legendary unmatched HX3 sound.

Kit Assembly

You will need only a phillips screwdriver to build! The HX3 expander kit comes with fully functional boards, front and rear bezel/panel, cables, screws and aluminum enclosure. Make shure you have a size 1 PH screwdriver handy, also small pliers or metric 5.5 mm wrench to holt the nuts while fastening.

• Install HX3 main board to rear panel. The 4 jack nuts hold the eintire board. The 4 washers are to be installed outside of rear bezel.
• Use M3 screw, locking washer and M3 nut to fasten the voltage regulator to back panel. The voltage regulator's body should have full contact to back panel as it is used as a heat sink.
• Fasten MenuDisplay board to front panel using 6 M3 bolts with spacers. Space between board and front panel should be approx. 12 mm. Be shure not to bend LED wires.
• Fasten side panels to front panel using 4 self-tapping screws.
• Insert bottom panel into slots of side panel.
• Connect 2 flat-ribbon cables to board connectors as pictured.
• Set jumper JP6 on HX3 main board to appropriate operation: In position "MONO", organ main and pedal outputs are mixed to one channel on MIN/BASS output jack, in other position to separate channels (pedals on plug "ring", right channel).
• Be shure to remove jumper JP12 (near DC jack) if using a 9 to 12V DC power supply (default: no jumper). If you plan to use a 5V power supply, move jumper from AGND spare position to JP12. Note: Damage will occur if higher voltage than 5V applied whith JP12 installed!
• Fasten side panels to back panel using 4 self-tapping screws.
• Affix 4 self-adhesive bases to bottom panel in each corner.

You're done! Time to try out: Plug in appropriate power supply 9 to 12V 800mA min. to DC jack. Display will illuminate and show welcome message, serial number and owner information (your name per default). Turn knob to select a preset. LEDs on right side will show corrsponding vibrato/percussion setting.

Using the Menu System

HX3 expander may be remoted via given MIDI CC set, but some settings are available via menu system only.

• Use the incremental encoder button "DATA ENTRY" to change parameters or presets in main UPR/LWR menu.
• Press incremental encoder button to go back to last menu intem used (Leslie Amp Volume by power-on default).
• Use Up/Down buttons to scroll through menu items.
• Press incremental encoder button for 2 seconds ore more to save a changed parameter (also by MIDI CC) or preset permanently (non-volatile).

The menu system consists of about 60 entries. Pressing and holding the Up/Down buttons will enable fast auto-repeat which will stop shortly on menu group borders. A "<" mark will direct to the parameter to be changed.

Main Group Upper

These parameters are saved to upper manual preset.

• UpperDB 1 to UpperDB 16 - drawbar setting for upper manual
• UPR<LWR Vibr - vibrato/chorus ON/OFF for upper manual
• UPR LWR Vibr< - vibrato knob setting V1 to C3
• Percussion - will step through available percussion options
• UPR XXXXXXXXX - default main menu, shows upper drawbars, incremental knob changes preset nummer upper

Main Group Lower

These parameters are saved to lower manual preset.

• LWR XXXXXXXXX - shows lower drawbars, incremental knob changes preset nummer lower
• UPR LWR<Vibr - vibrato/chorus ON/OFF for lower manual
• LowerDB 16 to LowerDB 1 - drawbar setting for upper manual
• PedalDB 16 to PedalDB 8 - drawbar setting for pedals
• PedalSustain - changes pedal sustain release time. Set to 0 to obtain B3 pedal sound. Saved to lower preset
• BassOnLeslie - routes pedal signal to Leslie simulation if ON
• KeyboardSplit - set split ON or OFF, default pedal to lower, 2 octaves. If one key pressed while switching to ON on lower manual, this key will be the "pedal to lower" split point. If one key pressed while switching to ON on upper manual, this key will be the "lower to upper" split point, lower manual switched off.
• LeslieVolume
• ReverbLevel
• MIDI Channel
• MIDI Option
• MIDI CC Set
• SplitOption
• Transpose
• Vib1 AmplMod
• Vib2 AmplMod
• Vib3 AmplMod
• Vib1 FreqMod
• Vib2 FreqMod
• Vib3 FreqMod
• ChorDryMix
• ChorVibMix
• PercNormLvl
• PercSoftLvl

PercLongTm PercShortTm TG Flutter TG Leakage TG OldCaps No DB1 @Perc No DB16 Foldb TrebleEqu BassEqu ContSpringFlx ContSpringDmp HornSlowTm RotorSlowTm HornFastTm RotorFastTm ScanBoard No AnalogPots SwellInEna FixedSwell TonePotEna LesVolPotEna